Something completely different....

I'm a garment sewist - not a craft-sewist, or a bag-sewist.

But...

With Mother's Day approaching, and my mother living on the opposite coast from me, I decided I had better actually get started on her Mothers Day gift.

I never know what to get my mother for any holiday. 

So, I decided to try a pattern that I had never tried....

I used fabric that I absolutely love from Moda's Zen Chic - their Comma line.  I used the Comma Asterisks in black and white.  It is so cool.  At least I think so....

I used black denim, and about $50 worth of interfacing and fleece, or so it seemed.  I used a cheap-o McCall's pattern, and I must say it went together very well.  There's a magnetic snap closure, and a zipper pocket inside.

 

I love this bag.  I'd use it.  In fact, I'm going to tell my mother to send it back to me if she doesn't like it!

On another note, when you see people selling handmade bags on Etsy, and you think, "Oh, I can make that myself for cheaper...." - think again.  This bag cost quite a bit.  A zipper, magnet snap, D-rings, fleece, interfacing.  I don't even want to add it all up.....

Kokka Paris Walk 2+2

One of the first patterns that I got from Oliver + S was the 2+2.  I've sewed several tops, plus the skirt.  In fact, I even bought the larger size range already because I knew it was such a versatile top and skirt pattern that I'd get a ton of use out of it.

When I first saw this fabric while buying for my shop from the Kokka distributor, I knew that I loved it and what I wanted to make with it.  I thought that it would make a wonderful 2+2 top, with denim accents, hopefully worn by my child with some jeans, or at least a jean skirt.  I love the little silhouette of the woman walking her dog.....

The fabric is a Kokka linen cotton blend - it's not heavy, but not real, real lightweight - kind of a middle weight fabric.  I used a light weight denim that I got from Joann's on sale - I've used this light denim quite a bit - really, I should just but about 10 yards next time it goes on sale...

I really like the way it came out, except, I really should have added a few inches to the length.  This is a 3T, and I've been using the 3T size but adding about 2-3 inches on all my recent projects.

Every time I sew an Oliver + S pattern again, I do a little bit better - on my prior attempts with this top, the area under the patch (which is gathered) ended up with uneven pleats.  This time, I took a bit more time and it looks more like gathers.   It's the little things.....

I let Julia sew the buttons on with me.  She already says that she wants to learn to sew, which makes me very happy.

Some modeled photos:

So ends my first sewing project of the New Year.....much, much more to come!!

Swingset...Dress? Nightgown?

My daughter loves dresses. Bottom line. I tried putting her in a pair of jeans last weekend, and she actually cried. Scrutinizing her wardrobe, her favorite dresses (RTW hand-me-downs) are spaghetti strap, flowing, below the knee with a ruffle. Acquiescing to my child's wishes, I looked through my patterns to see if I could replicate the look. Of course, there was an Oliver and S pattern that would work. I took the Swingset Tunic pattern, lengthened and tapered the body, and added a ruffle.

 I thought it turned out a bit long, so it borders on the nightgown look.

I used a very light-weight denim for the bodice and ruffle, and Kokka print for the body.  The Kokka print was a joy to work with - lightweight, but not slippery.  I know my daughter loves the way it feels.

In an effort to continue to use some embroidery, I added a single flower at the bodice.

 The dress is from the size 3T from the Swingset Tunic pattern.  I would say that it should easily fit her through next summer.  Which, of course is a good thing.

And, she likes it, which is another good thing....